Yes, really
Gaby Whitehill

15:14 21st February 2014

More about:

Lily Allen has unveiled the title of her forthcoming record - and it pays homage to Kanye West.

The 'Hard Out Here' singer has titled her upcoming third album Sheezus, in reference to Kanye's most recent record, Yeezus. Unfortunately, we're not joking, and we don't think she is either.

Allen officially confirms the er, unique title on tonight's episode of The Graham Norton show, and says of her rather bold decision: "It’s a confident title choice and a little nod to Kanye West."

Watch the video for Lily Allen's 'Air Balloon' below:

The singer also revealed why she took a break from the music industry in 2009 - and why she came back. "It was just something I said on the red carpet, it felt right to say I was going to pack it in," she explained. "So I was retired but then I decided to come back. I’d had two babies and I wanted to go back to work but realised I had no qualifications for anything except for being a pop star. So it seemed like the obvious choice!"

Sheezus will feature lead single 'Hard Out Here', the recently released 'Air Balloon' and 'L8 CMMR', which originally appeared on the soundtrack to TV show Girls.

Below - What's on the horizon? Big albums coming in 2014:

  • Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence: The new Del Rey album is picking up some serious hype, particularly with the involvement of Dan Auerbach and allegedly Giorgio Moroder. It looks like it will be a disco and rock infused masterpiece if all goes according to plan. Supposedly it will be released on 1 May, according to info leaked from Lana to a fan.

  • Foo Fighters - TBC: According to Grohl the album will be 'awesome' and will take the band to new heights and sounds, supposedly recorded in a way never attempted before. According to rumours this may mean it has been recorded at various studios around the world, meaning that a lot of care has gone into the new LP.

  • Tool - TBC: The long awaited album from Tool is supposed to come out at some point this year. The band have a long history of deliberating for years over songs, recording tracks hundreds and hundreds of times until they reach perfection. The long wait and mystery around the release makes it all the more interesting.

  • The Black Keys - TBC: With various festival headline dates booked in for the summer, it's pretty much a given that the new material is finished, or extremely close. The follow up to the highly successful El Camino will no doubt cement the band's reputation as one of the greatest modern rock outfits and live acts.

  • Frank Ocean - TBC: Responding to an enquiry from a fan last year, Ocean said that his new album would be coming out in summer 2014. Following up the success and amazing laid back grooves of Channel Orange is definitely no mean feat, however if there is anyone who is up to the challenge it's Ocean.

  • Kanye West - TBC: West has already confirmed that the follow up to Yeezus is in the works and should drop at some point this year. It's a given that it will push the boundaries, divide opinion and ultimately show whether you love him or hate him, he is an incredibly important figure in music.

  • U2 - TBC: Bono and company released the first song from their new album during a special Super Bowl commercial and it's everything that U2 fans have come to expect: euphoric, soaring and melodic. However the band have said that they are on verge of becoming irrelevant, whilst citing the influence of Krautrock. Expect the album to take a few risks.

  • Linkin Park - TBC: Being a band that have now transcended from 00's nu-metal grungers to a mature rock group, the new album will certainly be an interesting one. Combining metal, audible futurism and electronica is their signature, meaning however the new album sounds it will be interesting.

  • Adele - TBC: According to reports Adele is already in the studio with her producer Paul Epworth with a tour also in the works for 2015. 19 and 21 are still two of the best selling albums of all time, so no pressure there then...

  • The Red Hot Chili Peppers - TBC: Despite the miming incident at this years Super Bowl there is huge demand for the Chili Peppers, who are without a doubt one of the biggest bands on the planet. They aren't everyone's cup of tea but a new release will certainly shake things up.

  • Blink 182 - TBC: It's going to be an exciting year for Blink after the band appear to have momentarily put their numerous side projects aside and get back to ruling the pop punk genre. As yet the release date is unannounced, expect however to hear new material at this years Reading and Leeds headline slots.

  • Manic Street Preachers - Futurology: The band have taken quite a dark turn with 'Anthem for a Lost Cause', a motif that will no doubt be reflected on new album. As yet it has an unconfirmed release date.

  • Lily Allen - Sheezus: Featuring the singles 'Hard Out Here' and 'Air Balloon' (but maybe not 'Somewhere Only We Know'), expect the album to make or break the outspoken London star.

  • Brody Dalle - Diploid Love: We're so excited for the release of punk icon Brody Dalle's debut solo album. Murkily brilliant lead single 'Meet the Foetus' is more than a promising start. Diploid Love will be released April 28.

  • Coldplay - Ghost Stories: Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, the world will be waiting with bated breath to see what direction the band have headed in with their sixth album. By the sounds of first single 'Midnight', they've gone all electronic-y and Chris Martin has turned into Bon Iver. Interesting. Ghost Stories is due for release May 19.

  • The Horrors - Luminous: Faris Badwan and co have become one of the most original and exciting bands in the UK, with two critically acclaimed albums under their belt [and one dismal debut we don't talk about]. Frontman Badwan says the upcoming Luminous is the album he's been "most excited about rehearsing". Luminous will be released May 5.

  • Lykke Li - I Never Learn: Intriguing Swedish singer-songwriter Li is preparing for the release of her third album I Never Learn, which she says contains "power ballads for the broken". Sounds cheery. Aching lead single 'Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone' certainly falls under that category. I Never Learn is released May 6.

More about: